Laura Ellis

Laura is the producer of Strange Fruit, a weekly talk show focusing on race, gender and LGBTQ issues and pop culture (Saturday nights at 10). She also co-produced WFPL's award-winning Defining Fairness series, in 2012, and produces other news and features. Laura was born and raised in Louisville and has been with WFPL since 2004. When she's not making radio, she's on stage making theater, or singing old-fashioned bourbon jazz with Billy Goat Strut Revue.

This week we introduce you to a new member of the WFPL newsroom, politics reporter Ashley Lopez. Ashley joins us to talk about Indiana's controversial "religious freedom" act, Louisville's attempt to appeal to LGBT tourists, and a recent poll showing Kentucky's opposition to marriage equality. Read Story

This week we introduce you to a new member of the WFPL newsroom, politics reporter Ashley Lopez. Ashley joins us to talk about Indiana’s controversial “religious freedom” act, Louisville’s attempt to appeal to LGBT tourists, and a recent poll showing … Read Story

Food writer Ashlee Clark Thompson's new book is all about Louisville diners (the places, not the people). She joins us this week to dish about "Louisville Diners" and some of the city's most iconic eateries--trendy brunch places, soul food spots, and a certain streetcar-shaped establishment in Old Louisville whose quirkiness is part of its charm. Read Story

Food writer Ashlee Clark Thompson’s new book is all about Louisville diners (the places, not the people). She joins us this week to dish about “Louisville Diners” and some of the city’s most iconic eateries–trendy brunch places, soul food spots, … Read Story

"I didn't want to get anywhere near the role of Jesus," he said in a recent interview with WFPL. "Everybody in the world knows Jesus. I just figured that if I attempted that role, that everybody in the world would be a critic." Read Story

When Ted Neeley stood in front of Broadway director Tom O’Horgan in the early 1970s to audition for the original production of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” he was angling for the part of Judas. “I didn’t want to get anywhere near … Read Story

The Kentucky General Assembly just wrapped up its 2015 session, and some LGBTQ-related bills were under consideration. Chris Hartman from the Fairness Campaign joins us this week to talk about the proposed legislation—and what bills passed, and what didn't. Read Story

The Kentucky General Assembly just wrapped up its 2015 session, and some LGBTQ-related bills were under consideration. Chris Hartman from the Fairness Campaign joins us this week to talk about the proposed legislation—and what bills passed, and what didn’t. Hartman also … Read Story

A play opening Thursday night in Louisville sheds light on the experiences and expectations of immigrants. Presented in Spanish with English supertitles, “Emigrados" focuses on two immigrant men with different expectations for their new lives. Read Story

A play opening Thursday night in Louisville sheds light on the experiences and expectations of immigrants. Presented in Spanish with English supertitles, “Emigrados” focuses on two immigrant men with different expectations for their new lives. One (Francisco Juarez) is an academic who had … Read Story

Earlier this year, Kate Brown made history by becoming the first openly bisexual governor ever to serve in the U.S. The Oregon governor was also the country’s first bisexual statewide officeholder. But just as President Obama's election doesn't mean we're post racial, Governor Brown's election doesn't mean bisexual people are welcomed with open arms. Read Story

Earlier this year, Kate Brown made history by becoming the first openly bisexual governor ever to serve in the U.S. The Oregon governor was also the country’s first bisexual statewide officeholder. But just as President Obama’s election doesn’t mean we’re … Read Story

This week we meet Haydee Canovas, the director of a Spanish-language play “Emigrados,” running March 12-21 in Louisville. Part of the theater of the absurd tradition, the play observes two immigrant men, in a basement, on New Year’s Eve, and … Read Story

Author Frederick Smith knew he wanted to be a writer since he was a little boy, watching soap operas in Detroit. But folks around him didn't necessarily see him as the writer type. "I had friends say, 'Black boys from Detroit don't write soap operas--we go to work at the auto plant like our dads did.'" Read Story

Author Frederick Smith knew he wanted to be a writer since he was a little boy, watching soap operas in Detroit. But folks around him didn’t necessarily see him as the writer type. “I had friends say, ‘Black boys from … Read Story

After spending January looking back at some of our favorite conversations, we’re back this week with a brand new episode — and we have a lot of hot topics to catch up on! So this week, we’re doing an all-Juicy-Fruit … Read Story

Writer and trans activist Janet Mock is one of the most recognizable faces in trans activism. "People often say that I'm a role model," she says. "I feel like I'm a real model. Like, there's a real model of how you can do it. I'm existing. I'm out in the world. I'm still discovering who I am. I'm not playing a role. I'm being real. This is my life." She talks about her life & work on this week's Strange Fruit. Read Story

When you think about the current state of trans activism, the name Janet Mock is probably at the top of your mind. But there was a time when Mock was living a relatively low-profile life, working as a journalist outside … Read Story

Writer and activist Darnell Moore on his wide-ranging scholarship and activism, and why he was drawn to do the work he does. Read Story

Throughout the month of January, we’re revisiting some of our favorite conversations from the first 100 episodes of our show. Here’s one of our favorites, a conversation with writer and activist Darnell Moore. Darnell co-authors the Huffington Post’s Tongues Untied blog, along with Wade … Read Story

Playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney talks about his play "The Brothers Size," running now through February 1 at Actors Theatre of Louisville. Read Story

Earlier this week, Actors Theatre began its run of a show called “The Brothers Size,” by playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney. “The Brothers Size” is part of McCraney’s trilogy, “The Brother/Sister Plays,” which explore ideas of freedom and tradition, influenced by Yoruban mythology … Read Story

It’s our 100th episode! We’re celebrating this week by looking back at our humble beginnings, and ahead to the future. This week you’ll learn about some of the show titles we considered instead of Strange Fruit, take listener questions, and … Read Story

Strange Fruit learns about Louisville's Cabbage Patch Settlement House and their work with at-risk kids. In Juicy Fruit, we discuss the backlash against reality show Sorority Sisters, and a spoof song about the death of Michael Brown. Read Story

The Cabbage Patch Settlement House provides all kinds of programming for at-risk kids in Louisville: tutoring, clubs, sports, music, college preps and scholarships, and even emotional counseling. And a recent grant from the Humana Foundation means they’ll be opening their … Read Story

Advice for LGBTQ folks on coping with the holidays with families who aren't supportive. Read Story

Even under the best of circumstances, the holidays can be stressful. For some queer folks, they also mean deciding whether to go home to a family who doesn’t fully embrace them. This time of year, we like to listen back to … Read Story